Matrix latching device



1957 A. DUERKSEN MATRIX LATCHING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 1953 INVENTOR flrnoZdDuez-ksen ATTORNEYS Jan. 22, 1957 A. DUERKSEN 2,778,063

MATRIX LATCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvzm'on H172 0Z0 Du er/isen BY $214.2: M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent LATCHING DEVICE Am n Duerlisein, magenta, assignor to Super Mpld Corporation er California, Lodi, 'Calif., a corporation of California Application December 14, 1953, Serial No. 397,953

13 Claiins. (Cl. 1s 38 This invention relates to a tire treading or vulcanizing mold, and particularly to one of the type which includes separate cooperating matrix halves or sections and platens or body members on which the matrix halves are mounted, and'which body members are connected to a mechanism to move the same toward and from each other to correspondingly shift the matrix sections from closed to open positions.

The matrix sections are heated when in operation and are not permanently secured to the platens in order to enable the latter-to be used, without change, with matrix sections of difierent diameters or widths.

It is, therefore, necessary to provide means to detachably secure the matrix sections, irrespective of their size, onto the platens; and oneobject of the present invention is to provide a means for quickly and easily securing such variable size matrix sections in place on the platens.

Each matrix section includes a radial outwardly projecting flange,'and the securing or latching means includes a hook-like latch member mounted on the platen to overhang and "clamp the flange against movement.

Since the matrix is heated, allowance must beinade for the'accompanying expansion as otherwise fracturing or distortion is liable to occur. A further object of the invention, therefore, isto provide means wherebythelatch m ember may yield outwardly with expansion oftheinatrix section, while, at the same time, always holding the matrix section firmly seated on the platen.

The-latching means includes a rotatable hand-actuated control member whose rotation in one direction advances the latch member into a flange clamping position, and another object of the'invention is to arrange said'conti'ol member so that the advancing pressure which may be exerted on the latch member is limited to a predetermined amount, regardless of the strength of the operator or the leverage which he may impart to the control member.

In" this manner, it is impossible to clamp themat'r'ix flange with a pressure of such severity as would prevent the desired member as the matrix expands.

-Still another object of the invention is to provide a matrix latching device which is practical,- reliable, and durable, and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a matrix sectionas mounted on a mold platen and removably clamped in place by the improved clamping units.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on line 2-2 of Fig." 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the platen or mold structure for each matrix section includes a substantially circular radially outwardly movement of the latch ice 2 ring-like body member l having a flat plate 2 secured on one face thereof and forming the matrix-section supporting area of the body member.

A matrix half orsection '3 rests on'plate 2;this' section; as here shown, being of the electrically heatedtyp e.

The matrix section 3, which is of ring-like form, is' centered on the plate z's'e as to be concentric therewith either by directly engaging a stopbead 4 upstanding from plate 2 at the radially inner end thereof, or, as here shown, by engaging a spacer band 5 seated on the plate and which; in turn, engages head 4.

The radial extent of the plate 2 is such as to'suppo'r't' matrix sections of different diameters thereon. The matrix section of whatever diameter, however, includes an-outwardly exposed b'ase'flange 6 whose upper surface slopes in a direction from its outer edge so that said flange 6 is wedge-shaped in section, as shown in Pig. 2.

A number of the yieldable'clamping devices 7 for the matrix section, and which formthe subject matter of this invention, are mounted on'the body 1 in cireumferentially spaced relation, as shown in Fig. 1;

formed with a radially extending, depressed recess or from for each such devicel.

Eachdevice 7 comprises a'shaft 9" extending" radially of the'body' 1 within the-socket ,8 and journaled intermediateits ends, for rotary and limited axial movement in the outer cross member l'tl of the socket, and in an intermediate cros's'web "1 1 in tl ie s ocket. I

Betweenmember s ma ia 1-1, theshaft is formed with threads 12 on which a flange engaging and clamping member 13 is mounted; This'nie'niber comprises aiboss 14 threaded'o'n threads 12} ashank 15 projecting from assess-arrange and guidedby a radially extending slot 16 plate 2, and a hook 17 on the outer end of the shank clear of'the plate 2 to'e'ngage over the flange 6. Theu'nder surface of hook 1 has the's'aine slope'as said flange so that nine member 13 is advanced, the hook will graduallyengage and v oiitbthe plate 2. The an 16 allews'nibverneiit of the member 13radially'of'theimatrixjand'pla'te wh'ne'p'r'eventing rotation thereoffaboubsh 9' 'ttear'wardly of andsp ed 18 is formedacross socket 8 through whicliitlie in portion of shaft,9projeets, amass hicli'a' sl' 0, is held against axial movement relative to S ti w it;

sleeve including an outwardly projecting flange 2"1' bearing against the outer fae e' 6rweb'1's. I

heavy compression spring 22 s'anbua'ds the spring between Web 11 and fl tijn'g 21, D movement of the shafffi froinits normalip'osition;

By reason of the above structure and-ariah ementet' parts, it will be seen marsh radially 'eu'twa'rd movement of matrix flange 6 (occasioned by expansion ornamen- 6. In order that excessive rotative pressure 'eannotbe" exerted on the shaft, andwhich would be suflicieiit to causethe sprinjg'll one compressed and thesh'aft maven" outwardly after the hook member has properly eiig devtpe is provided. I This device comprises a sleeve :23 nepur'rnblymduntg ed "on the outer end portion 24 of shaf t and which sleeve is turnably mounted in the hub25 of'a 'hollow said body being press the flange 6 down and resists outward axial v 1 the matrix flange, a special control 'orsha'ft manipulating 3 radially projecting arm 26 which, at its outer end, is fitted with a crank handle 27.

A plunger 28 is slidable in the arm 26 and is formed on its outer end with a cross rib or key 29 engaging a longitudinal external slot 30 in the sleeve 23. The side of the key which faces in the direction of rotation of the sleeve and shaft necessary to advance the clamping member 7 is cut on a slope as is the slot 30, as shown at 31 in Fig. 3.

A compression spring 32, whose load or pressure is determined by adjustment of a screw plug 33, is disposed in the arm 26 to yieldably press the plunger against the sleeve 23.

A pin 34 projects from the plunger and rides in a longitudinal slot 35 in the arm 26 so as to prevent rotation of the plunger if and when the key 29 becomes disengaged from the slot 30.

The spring 32 is set by adjustment of plug 33 so that its resistance is such that when the member 13 has been advanced, by rotation of shaft 9, into the desired clamping engagement with the matrix flange 6, the spring 32 will yield and cause the plunger to move away from sleeve 23 and thus disengage the key 29 from slot 30 before any compression of the spring 22 takes place, and also, of course, before any excessive clamping action of the member 13 against the matrix flange is had.

This release of the key from its slot is made possible by reason of the taper or slope 31 of the key and slot. When the member 13 is prevented from further advance by its engagement with the flange 6, further rotations of the handle 27 and arm unit 26 may take place without any rotation being imparted to the sleeve 23 or shaft 9; the key 29 merely clicking in and out of the slot with repeated rotations of the unit.

The structure here shown and described takes care of one half of a complete mold structure; the other cooperating half being substantially a duplicate of said one half, but, of course, arranged in inverted relation thereto.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired.

1. In a tire mold having a matrix supporting plate, a circular matrix section removably seated on the plate, and a plurality of devices mounted on the mold and spaced circumferentially of the matrix section to clamp the matrix section to the plate; each such device comprising a rotatable shaft mounted on the mold adjacent the plates radially of the matrix section, a portion of the shaft being threaded, a member mounted on said threaded portion for advance along the same upon rotation of the shaft, said member projecting through a slot in the plate and including an element to overhang and engage a peripheral flange on the matrix section, the shaft at its outer end being arranged for manual rotation, means journaling the shaft on the mold for rotation and limited axial movement, and means between the shaft and mold and including a spring to yieldably resist outward movement of the shaft.

2. A device as in claim 1, in which said last named means comprises longitudinally spaced relatively inner and outer transverse webs on the body through which the shaft projects beyond the end of the threaded portion thereof, a flange fixed on the shaft and normally engaging the outer face of the inner web, and a compression spring about the shaft and extending between said flange and the outer web.

3. A combination, as in claim 1, with hand operated 4 means to rotate the shaft, including a yieldable connection with the shaft arranged to prevent rotation thereof by said means when resistance to further advance of the shaft-mounted matrix engaging member approaches the yielding point of the shaft-resisting spring.

4. In a tire mold having a matrix supporting plate, a circular matrix section removably seated on the plate, and a plurality of devices mounted on the mold and spaced circumferentially of the matrix section to clamp the matrix section to the plate; each such device comprising a rotatable shaft mounted on the mold adjacent the plate radially of the matrix section, a portion of the shaft being threaded, a member mounted on said threaded portion for advance along the same upon rotation of the shaft, said member projecting through a slot in the plate and including an element to overhang and engage a peripheral flange on the matrix section, and hand operated means to rotate the shaft; said means including a connection with the shaft to prevent rotation of the shaft by said means when resistance to such rotation reaches a predetermined amount.

5. A device, as in claim 4, in which said hand operated means comprises a sleeve non-turnably mounted on the outer end of the shaft, an arm and handle unit turnably embracing the sleeve and extending radially therefrom, and a radially yieldable key connection between the unit and sleeve.

6. A device, as in claim 5, with a spring pressing the key and normally holding the same engaged with the sleeve; the rotatable shaft being mounted on the mold for limited axial movement, and means between the shaft and mold and including a separate spring to yieldably resist outward axial movement of the shaft; said keypressing spring having a yielding resistance approaching but below that of said separate spring.

7. In a tire mold having a matrix supporting plate, a circular matrix section removably seated on the plate, and a plurality of devices mounted on the mold and spaced circumferentially of the matrix section to secure the matrix section to the plate; each device comprising a rotatable shaft disposed adjacent the plate radially of the matrix section, means journaling the shaft on the mold for rotation and limited axial movement, a portion of the shaft being threaded, a member mounted on said threaded portion for inward advance along the same upon rotation of the shaft, initially separate elements on said matrix section and shaft mounted member adapted for engagement to secure the matrix section to the plate upon such advance of said member along the shaft, means to rotate the shaft, and means between the shaft and mold and including a spring to yieldably resist outward movement of the shaft.

8. A device, as in claim 7, in which said last named means comprises longitudinally spaced relatively inner and outer transverse webs on the body through which the shaft projects beyond the end of the threaded portion thereof, a flange fixed on the shaft and normally engaging the outer face of the inner web, and a compression spring about the shaft and extending between said flange and the outer web.

9. A device, as in claim 7, in which said means to rotate the shaft includes a yieldable connection with the shaft arranged to prevent rotation thereof when resistance to further advance of the shaft-mounted matrix section engaging member approaches the yielding point of the shaft-resisting spring.

10. In a tire mold having a matrix supporting plate, a

circular matrix section removably seated on the plate, and a plurality of devices mounted on the mold and spaced circumferentially of the matrix section to secure the matrix section to the plate; each device comprising a rotatable shaft mounted on the mold adjacent the plate radially of the matrix section, a portion of the shaft being threaded, a. member mounted on said threaded portion for inward advance along the same upon rotation of the 2,77s,oes

shaft, initially separate elements on said matrix section and shaft mounted member adapted for engagement to secure the matrix section to the plate upon such advance of said member along the shaft, and means to rotate the shaft; said means including a connection with the shaft to prevent rotation thereof when resistance to such rotation reaches a predetermined amount.

11. A device, as in claim 10, in which said connection comprises a sleeve non-turnably mounted on the outer end of the shaft, an arm and handle unit turnably embracing the sleeve and extending radially therefrom, and a radially yieldable key connection between the unit and sleeve.

12. A device, as in claim 10, with a spring pressing the key and normally holding the same engaged with the sleeve; the rotatable shaft being mounted on the mold for limited axial movement, and means between the shaft and mold and including a separate spring to yieldably resist outward axial movement of the shaft; said key pressing spring having holding resistance approaching but below that of said separate spring.

13. In a tire mold having a matrix supporting plate, a circular matrix section removably engaging the plate, and a plurality of devices mounted on the mold in circumferentially spaced relation adapted to secure the matrix section to the plate; each such device comprising a shaft disposed adjacent the plate radially of the matrix section, means mounting the shaft on the mold for rotation and limited axial movement, means yieldably resisting outward axial movement of the shaft, a portion of the shaft being threaded, a member mounted on said threaded portion of the shaft for inward advance along the same upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, means to prevent rotation of said member without restraining said ad- Vance thereof, initially separate elements on said matrix section and shaft mounted member adapted for engagement to secure the matrix section to the plate upon such inward advance of the member, and means to rotate the shaft including a connection operative to release upon predetermined resistance to rotation of the shaft in said one direction relative to the resistance outward axial movement of said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Harmes Dec. 15, 1953 

